The Big Bear Bark Park in downtown Franklin was closed temporarily last month to construct a shelter over the benches inside the park. The Friends of the Greenway, with a grant from the Nutro Dog Food Company Room to Run Project, and with technical help from Habitat for Humanity were to complete the project.

According to representatives with Friends of the Greenways, the shelter that was proposed would be located within a Duke Energy easement. To proceed with the construction, Friends of the Greenway attempted to obtain approval from Duke for the shelter to be constructed within the dog park.

Jerry Blaydes, Friends of the Greenway board member met with Duke Energy last week, and said that Duke Energy refused to approve any permanent shelter for the dog park. Two tent shelters have been purchased and installed to provide shade in the dog park.